Lemon Meringue Squares

Lizzie Rodriquez's Note:

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• Total Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 9

• 2⁄3; cup flour
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened, and cut up
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese , softened
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• ¼ cup almonds , slivered, toasted and coarsely chopped
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons sugar substitute
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice , about 2 medium
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , divided
• 4 large egg whites , at room temperature
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 3 tablespoons sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almonds , slivered, toasted, and coarsely chopped

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line pan with parchment paper or foil, extending over sides by 2 inches; set aside.
2. For the crust: In a small mixing bowl, combine bake mix, butter, cream cheese and sour cream. With an electric mixer on low, beat just until combined. Form into a ball, then press into a 4-inch disc. Wrap well in plastic and chill 20 minutes. Using fingers, press dough in an even layer over the bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle almonds over top and press firmly into dough. Using a fork, prick dough in several places. Loosely cover pan with foil; bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue to bake until crust is browned, about 15 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
3. For the lemon filling: In a 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, combine egg, egg yolks and sugar substitute. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, just until the mixture thickens, 4 to 6 minutes. Do not overcook. Remove from heat and add butter. Whisk until blended and smooth. Pour into a small bowl, place plastic wrap directly on surface of filling and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
4. For the meringue: In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar. Increase speed to medium-high and beat just until egg whites form stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Beat in sugar substitute, 1 tablespoon at a time, scraping down sides of bowl once or twice. Add vanilla. Beat until thick, about 30 to 45 seconds.
5. To assemble: Evenly spread lemon filling over baked crust. Drop mounds of meringue over filling. Using the back of a spoon, quickly spread meringue, completely covering lemon filling. Bake until meringue is golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Run knife along unlined sides of pan and, holding extended ends of parchment, carefully lift out of pan. Cut into 9 squares. Chill until ready to serve. (If assembling completely, squares must be served on the day prepared. Can be refrigerated up to 3 hours; see note below for making ahead.) Sprinkle meringue squares with almonds before serving.
6. Tip: The crust and lemon filling can be made up to one day ahead. Refrigerate filling in an airtight container. Store crust at room temperature. On the day of serving, follow step 4 to prepare meringue and assemble as instructed in step 5.